Fire-lighter block.



No. 696,267. PatentedMar. 25, I902.

G. 'POLLARDL FIRE LIGHTER BLOCK.

(Applicatioh filed Jan. 2, 1902.\ (No Model.) 7 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

ID; 696,267: Patented Mar. 25, I902.

' C. PULLARD.

FIRE LIGHTER BLOCK.

(Application filed Jan. 2, 1902.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.

Ugliest);

2 D m 5 2 r a I d .8 t n 8 t a .J 0m 0 I 1 L, and B n. AB: LE. LTm U m Pm .Lm E m F Q Mm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COLLINGWOOD POLLARD, OF BRADFORD, ENGLAND, ASS IGNOR TO IOLLARD AND METCALFE, LTD., OF SILSDEN, ENGLAND.

FIRE-LIGHTER BLOCK.

$PECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,267, dated March 25, 1902.

Application filed January 2, 1902. Serial No. 88,207. (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, OoLLINewooD PoL- LARD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Bradford, England, have invented certain new and usefulImprovem'ents in Fire- Lighter Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in firelighter blocks, and relates to a form of such blocks which is provided with grooves on its opposite faces crossing each other, so as to leave ventilating-openings at the crossingpoints.

My present improvement has in view a kindling-block ofintegral form provided with draft or ventilating openings distributed throughout the same in such a manner as to insure proper and uniform combustion of the block, while at the same time'providinga block all parts of which are well bound together, so that in the burning the said block will not prematurely buckle up, but will maintain its shapeto afford proper draft for a maximum period and until its consumption is almost complete. 1

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of one formof block. Fig. 2

shows the other side of this block. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4

3c is a plan view of a modification in which the grooves on one face extend at an'inclination to those on the other face. Fig. 5 showsthe other side of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an edge view of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 4. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are views of modifications.

From the drawings it will be seen that the block is provided on one face with a series of grooves 1, leaving a series of ribs or bars 2.

40 These grooves and ribs extend from end to end of the block and are parallel with the side edges of the block. On the other face are grooves 2. These extend transversely and at right angles inIFig, 1 to the grooves 1.

They are cut alternately from opposite edges of the block, and'each terminates somewhat short of the edge, as at 8, Fig. 1. The grooves are preferably cut by circular saws, though of course I do not wish to limit myself in this regard.

From Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the transverse grooves at the points of crossing the longitudinal grooves 1 leave draft-openwill be seen from Fig. 2 that the lateral extension or channel gradually inclines to the upper surface of the block, leaving a considerable amount of stock, which not only serves to bind the parts of the block securely together, but also provides a maximum amount of kindling-fuel to be burned in the kindling 7o operation. From Fig. 1 it will'be seen that the additional stock is left first on one edge of the block and then on the other, making the block of symmetrical construction and form.

In sawing the transverse grooves the circular saws are simply lifted when they have cut sufficiently, thus leaving the groove with the curvedimperforate inclined bottom at 6; but, as before stated, I do not limit myself either to the manner of grooving the block, nor do Ilimit myself to the precise shape of the grooves.

In Figs. 4,5,6,and 7 I show a modification in which the transverse grooves 2'. are formed in-' clined in relation to the longitudinal grooves,- and these inclined or diagonal grooves cross each other. The same features are present in this form as well as in that above described, the channels extending laterally from the 0 draft openings being shown at 7. These grooves also begin at one edge of the block and terminate short of the other edge. They may extend'quite tothe edge, if desired.

Fig. 8 is a plan View, and Fig. 9 a' sectional 5 view, of a modification in which the transverse grooves are not out directly through the lateral edges of the block, but end approximately at the upper surface of the block near or at the edge, thus providing ventilating- 10o openings with draft-channels extending therefrom laterally in both directions. These draft-channels have inclined bottoms, as in the forms already described, and they extend over portions of the block which are not grooved on the under side, so as "to leave a maximum quantity of kindling material intact.

In Fig. 10 I show the same idea as disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 carried out in connection with diagonal or inclined grooves or channels on one side and parallel grooves on the other.

I claim-- 1. A fire-lighter block having a series of grooves on one face, a series of grooves on the other face leaving draft-openin gs at the points of crossing the first grooves and providing channel extensions having imperforate incline bottom walls, said inclined bottom beginning at a point intermediate the thickness of the block, substantially as described.

2. A fire-lighter block having a series of grooves on one face, a series of grooves on the other face crossing the grooves first mentioned, said crossing-grooves beginning at opposite edges of the block and each having a draft-opening near its beginning and having a channel extending beyond the draft-opening toward the other edge, provided with an inclined im perforate bottom, substantially as described.

3. A fire-lighter block having draft-openings extending therethrough, first near one edge of the block and then near the other to distribute the said draft-openings in staggered relation, said block having grooves on its opposite faces those on one face crossing those on the other face, substantially as described.

4. A block grooved from end to end on one face and having grooves on the other face crossing those on the first face to provide a ventilating-opening and to provide a channel with an imperforate bottom extending transversely over the grooves on the side first mentioned, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OOLLINGWOOD POLLARD.

Witnesses:

MITCHELL IIAR'I, ROBERT A. ELLIS. 

